About the Program: The Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal Team uses analysis, research, and partnerships to drive advancements in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and meet U.S. climate goals. With a comprehensive portfolio covering technological and natural carbon removal and decarbonizing the highest emitting industrial subsectors—such as steel, cement, chemicals, and refining—the Team advances new research and policies into vital and growing climate tools. The Team works with entities in the public, private, labor, and NGO sectors to accomplish mutually desired goals that ultimately aim to benefit people, nature, and climate. Cement and steel production accounts for ~18% of global CO2 emissions. These heavy industrial products are used in the construction sector and are the main source of embodied emissions in buildings. The Industrial team is working on an array of U.S. federal policy options to decarbonize cement and steel production, including demand-side levers and incentives. Data and modelling are key to testing these policies out. This position is hybrid and will require a few days per week in our Washington DC office. What you will do: In this role, you will contribute to the research and analytical activities of the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal Team within WRI U.S., in support of our efforts to lay the groundwork for advancing low-carbon, equitable, and resilient domestic climate policies. This will include quantitative research and analysis of industrial decarbonization technologies, particularly for focusing on building materials such as cement and steel, tracking policy and legislative developments for industrial decarbonization, and supporting development of knowledge and communications products on these topics. You will work on running modeling and simulations to assess the viability of policies being researched by the Industrial team. You will be supported by the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal project leads and team. You will report to an Associate on the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal team. Internship Learning Outcomes: Research and analysis (70%)
Conduct quantitative research on approaches and technologies needed to accelerate cement and steel decarbonization and maximize emissions reductions in the industrial sector, including identifying the impacts of proposed climate policies.Track and share relevant policy and technology developments and their potential climate impact and identify implications for the team’s work. Work on policy scenario modeling and analyzing decarbonization technologies using policy simulators and other available modeling tools. Attend webinars, meetings, and virtual workshops/conferences on industrial decarbonization and summarize key takeaways. Support the development of and co-author knowledge products, including articles and report. Communication, engagement, and coordination (30%) Support the development of and co-author articles and other externally facing communication materials to communicate complex content in an easily understandable way. Work with the industrial innovation team on engagement with partner institutions including academia, NGOs, government, and private sector on knowledge sharing and joint research products. Help prepare presentations and briefings for internal and external audiences.Support external engagements and opportunities at the national, regional, and global level. Help coordinate project implementation and provide inputs into funder reports.What you will need: Pursuing or recently competed a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science.Knowledge of or experience in decarbonization technologies and/or policies is a plus. Proficiency in English. Compensation The pay for this internship opportunity is $20/hour for undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students. Length of Contract: This is a full-time, 3-month internship with a flexible start and end date but will ideally have a start date of June 10th. Location: This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office. You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.WRI will provide a laptop for the duration of your internship.